Okay, I know everyone is waiting anxiously for the July challenge...I wasn't prepared to win, I hoped, but wasn't prepared. And so I've been thinking, seeing how we are into july by one week, that the challenge should be something of benefit to everyone in the Bryce community, (was that sufficiently vague?)....;)

So if no one has any objections, July's challenge will be this,
everyone creates 5 realistic textures/materials, 'from scratch', in the DTE, I can hear the groans already, (you'll need to save them for the next part) and use them in a render...when we're finished voting, all the textures/materials will be uploaded to the back room for everyone to use, with Agent Smith's approval....

OR

I supply 5 textures (I'll post a link for download) and everyone creates a render using them, you can tweak them to your hearts content, so long as you can tell where they are in the image....

If you don't like either idea, well what can I say, 'I' need practice in the DTE, I want to make my own materials and that is the challenge, to learn something new or become better at something you know....

So what do you think?(Please don't throw vegetables....)

Zhann

An interesting idea indeed...I've wanted to learn more of the DTE at some point so I guess this would be cool. I like the part about creating our own. That gets my vote. MD

Question... Could we do a full-blown scene, using imported mats, textures, etc...and then have a minimum of 5 things using a texture/mat from scratch, also? Or does everything in the picture have to be homemade? Just being annoying and asking before others do...heheh ;) MD

I like the second Idea better, not that I don't like making my own textures, most of my images use textures made by me. However, this may limit how many people contribute to the contest =/ lots don't know how or really don't want to make their own textures, therefore my vote goes to the second idea. About supplying 5 textures to use.

Hey, you can't get info if you don't ask questions... I would think that the scene could be as simple or complex as you want, but something that would bring attention to your original mats, imported models are ok, and the presets that come with Bryce, and you could make more than five if you wanted, the idea being to learn to control the DTE to get what you want, so imported mats would be out, the spotlight is on what you create...

Good point Ornlu, those just starting may be daunted at the thought of even looking in the DTE...(I know I was), lets see who wants what and then I'll decide which it is...

Phew! Looks like I gotta lotta work to do! I know the DTE like the back of my knee, but I'm game!

Plus, people with digital cameras or scanners woult be at a huge advantage in this situation, I am not trying to say it's a bad idea, I am just saying it is something that will be dominated by a few while the rest are just left in the dust. If the 5 provided were very nice textures, then it would be a more "fair" task.

Actually cameras and scanners don't have a bearing (I don't think), creating a material from scratch in the DTE, requires the use of noise, filters, color and bump... Example: for each component in the DTE you asign a noise, then put the noise thru a filter, then you need to decide what type of output you want, color, alpha or bump. Or will the output be a combination of all three, how will they be combined, then you apply the type of settings, after everything is done in the DTE, the result will become a single texture source in the materials lab, you then start all over with that one and combine with others, and so on infinitum.....

And the textures, if I am suppling them, will be such, that they push your creativity, sort of taking a sows ear and making it a silk purse...

the dte eh, hmmm, normally i just fiddle the dials and hope for the best.

I dont mind makin new textures but i usualy do that in psp. dont know how to save all new bryce textures.(got a tut) I vote for #1

I can give you the basics as I understand them, but then you're on your own, these will not only be textures but procedural materials, and I can tell you how to save them in Bryce for future use... the DTE is the heart of Bryce and very powerful, remember, all the procedural and volumetrics that come with Bryce were created in the DTE...Clay or Agent Smith correct me if I'm wrong...

I am for the second idea as well. I also use most of the time my own textures, but I think its fun to see how many different ideas people might be coming up with using the same textures (as in the thingy challenge a few months ago).

Nope, you're right on all levels there, the Bryce DTE is tricky, but if you can learn it, it's quite powerful. And, no there is no way to use pictures with the creation of a purly DTE material. I think the best way might be to supply the materials, and then see how we use them. The DTE is the one truly "hard" thing to learn about Bryce, or any other program that creates procedural textures. If you agree on supplying the textures do you want to keep the rest of the theme open? Like rj001's "shape" challenge we did? AS

Agent Smith, is alright to put a link for direct download in the forum? The textures will be in a zipped file, or should I just post the images, they're 1024x768 I believe...

Images...I thought you wanted people to use dte...I'm not understanding AS

Yeah, you can put a direct link. AS

I vote ya have to use a minimum of five DTE bryce textures and go from there, AND/OR you can use Zhann's picture textures. Best of both worlds. ?

I'm getting the feeling the DTE is too daunting for everyone, if the materials weren't created in the DTE by everyone, my creating the materials in the DTE and supplying them kind of defeats the purpose of everyone learning to 'use' the DTE to create materials, don't you think.... OK, rethink, simplify...be right back...

I'm still lost on the "1024x768 images", from everything said above, I thought it was going to be just DTE materials given out. AS

I'd go for the first one, I for one I'm not too much skilled in the DTE, it would be a lovely way to learn something more. For me, #1 S.

Okay, thank you MG, If you're up to learning the DTE, create 5 materials in it and use them for your render...(they will be for everyone to use when the challenge is over) If you're not ready yet to fry your brain in the DTE, use the images to do your render....(I can understand this route if you are unsure or new to Bryce) If you're really into pain, 5 DTEs and use the images for your render, just let us know how you're going about it when you post... Is this agreeable to everyone? Or is it too complicated? AS? Zhann

left leg over right ear press button twiddle dial 3 turns right, nope not too complicated.

All right, I have a short tut on the basics of the DTE, if you read it, you should be able to create a material, save it and use on an object, be it a terrain, sphere, Vicky, whatever you want to put it on. The material doesn't have to be a masterpiece, just get you into the DTE. Anyone?

Okay, as I understand it; Create and use your own 5 DTE's in a render, each members DTE's will have to be made available for download after the Challenge. Can't hack the DTE? Use Zhann's pic textures. Or, if you can, use 5 DTE's of your own AND Zhann's pic textures. Sounds great! You should post this in a new thread as the "official" Challenege assignment, (along with the download link for the pic textures) and don't forget...you need a name for the Challenge...lol. Sounds fun! AS

Here's another tutorial page on the DTE, complete, which means its not all that simple. http://users.pandora.be/walter.vandijck/DTEtutorial1.htm AS

Zhann, I knew you was trouble the day I laid my three eyes on you. OK, I'm game. Where do we upload the textures after the challenge? - TJ

uhhhh.... far be it from me to shy away from interesting challenges, and I guess I could learn to live with this one... but... meh... a more interesting TOPIC would have been better rather than a modus-texturi ;) throws a tomato at zhann Drac (it's a fruit!)

DTE textures can be sent to me, and I'll set them up in the backroom. AS

Well, I've always said I need to work on my texturing abilities. Now, I'll have the chance. This should be interesting...

Well, I've never started in the DTE with nothing. I just always thought you had to start with a preset and go in and tweak it. Can't wait to see how this is done. I like the first idea too. After all it is supposed to be a challenge. There goes Drac showing off his knowledge of things, yep a tomato is a fruit you grow in a vegetable garden. :-D

all i seem to grow are snails

Well up untill about 5 minutes ago i was all geared up to getting my finger out and having a go at the challenge this month....lol Please can we have a clear brief so we know where we are going.. Cheers Stash

DTE. Read manual. Read tutorials. Head hurts. Need to lie down in darkened room. Arghh.

I get it! Take 5 plain grey spheres. Open the materials editor. Go to the DTE and create a unique texture to go on each sphere. Save the textured spheres in your materials palette. Use these textures in a piece of work. Post the work that uses these unique textures. Post pics of the 5 textured spheres. Job done. Sit back and collect the prizes. Wait for someone to tell us how the heck we seperate out the new mats for uploading to this site. The Bryster

lol, we need a detailed description of exactly how this will work, Zhann please post a new topic with in depth instructions.

'export' option in material editor will send your material out in *.mat format for others to 'import'.

Cool, I'm learning stuff!

Thanks RJ001! I didn't know that...see, I'm learning already....;-)

I like the idea! I too prefer the first option, but if we can choose either, it's cool. I really hope I can enter this month!

I'm going to my room.......sigh

Who's on first..

Excellent idea................8)